FEAR NOT

Worry is conforming to the world’s way of responding to the pressures of life, Worry is fear all dressed up... masquerading as something normal... we all worry, right? But, for the blood bought saint, worry vents our fears, giving fear a voice denouncing our faith in God. This makes worry about the worse thing a saint can do. There are only two ways for a saint to respond to the pressures of life, either Fear or Trust, and they are diametrical opposites that cannot co-exist. And just as fear bears the fruit of worry, and ultimately depression, trust bears the fruit of love, joy, and peace... even in the worse storms of life. Our fruit always tells on our heart. Following is a reflection on how David, the great psalmist, handled worry by destroying fear with the reality of God’s sovereignty:

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.  You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off.You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.

 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?  If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” even the night shall be light about me; indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.

 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; in You I take shelter.  Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. In Your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am Your servant.                                                                                  

FOR I AM WITH YOU

(Psalms 139:1-18 & 143:8-12)